Hastings loses first game of NAIA softball

Mike Smith, the head coach of California Baptist’s softball team picked up his 500th career win on Thursday when his team defeated Hastings 5-1 in the first game of pool play at the 2009 NAIA Softball National Tournament in Decatur, Alabama.

Smith’s team was led by Melanie Ahumada as they entered their sixth straight national tournament and third in-a-row as a No. 1 seed.

Ahumada tossed a complete game, allowing no earned runs and just three hits. She also struck out eight batters in moving to 15-3 on the year.

The only run Hastings scored came in the top of the second on a single to left field by Tara Tobiasson. Stacey Paladino led off the inning with a double and the Lancers thought they had their first out of the inning when Ahumada was able to get Tobiasson to lift a pop fly, but it was dropped in foul territory. Tobiasson then took advantage with a single to score the Broncos’ first and only run.